Page 56 - The Pocket Guide to Equine Knots

versatile, simple, and reliable. And the basket hitch can be used in other ways as well.
When we’re packing with panniers, either soft ones or the bear-proof, hard-sided panniers

now required in so many wilderness areas, I don’t stop when the panniers are hung from
the packsaddle and attached by a strap underneath. I increase the security of the setup by
building a tight basket hitch around the panniers as well. The hitch stabilizes the loads,
prevents excessive swing, and keeps the panniers tucked up neatly. That said, it’s always
good to learn more, and there are occasional loads that don’t lend themselves too well to a

basket hitch.

Barrel Hitch

An example would be a load that lacks a relatively square or flat bottom on which to place
the base of the vertical rope holding the hitch. A hind quarter of an elk is one such load.
Another relatively simple hitch, the barrel hitch, is easy to tie and handy for a load that will
be held horizontally on the animal.

The barrel hitch starts with the sling rope attached the same way to the saddle; for
familiarity, let’s say the front Decker ring as you face the left side of the pack animal.
(Again, as with the basket hitch, you can tie the barrel hitch with a sawbuck by using a long
rope tied in its center with a clove hitch to create a sling rope for each side.) Now, we’ll

create two loops instead of one. Keeping a loop of rope perhaps a couple of feet deep,
insert the end of the sling rope back through the left D-ring from outside in, then over to the
right D-ring and down. Leave another loop and bring the rope back through the right D-ring
from right to left. Now you have two loose loops to go around your load.

Mule with Decker saddle rigged for barrel hitch.

Most packers prefer to barrel hitch with the front of the load slightly higher than the rear.
When the load’s adjusted properly, the free end of the hitch rope is normally brought down
to the extra cinch ring (most packsaddles have this) and tied off.

The world of horse and mule packing is not only a fascinating one, it’s a liberating one.
There’s no need to attempt to master it all at once, because you can continue to learn more
your entire life. But these relatively simple hitches and knots will get you started in the right
direction. And there’s nothing like clasping the lead rope of your front pack animal and

heading up the trail toward campfires and yellow aspens—toward adventure. Packing your
comfortable camp with you, heading into beautiful country, is one of the finest bursts of